Cape Reinga · The Place You Go Down by the Tree Roots

Cape Reinga is the northernmost point of New Zealand’s North Island; in Māori it is Te Rerenga Wairua, “the leaping place of spirits”. They say that when a person dies the spirit travels north along the island, climbs down by the roots of a myrtle tree here and leaps into the sea to return home.

There is a groove at the edge of the cliff which the story says the spirits left as they slid down. Sea to the east, sea to the west; the two meet between the Tasman Sea and the Pacific and strike a white line.

Eating is not allowed here, and stones may not be taken. The Māori advice is simple: do not stand at the cliff edge with your back to the sea.

Folklore / Northland · New Zealand / Time immemorial